Yoenis Cespedes to defend his HR Derby title, other A’s news

Yoenis Cespedes told me two weeks ago that he planned to defend his Home Run Derby title, and now it’s official, he will do so in Minneapolis next week. That seemed like a foregone conclusion: he wanted to, he’s got a bid as the defending champ, and he’s also an All-Star. AL team captain Jose Bautista also selected Adam Jones of the Orioles and Brian Dozier of the Twins; a final member of the AL squad will be named Thursday and A’s third baseman Josh Donaldson is in the running.

Yoenis Cespedes

Yoenis Cespedes, of the Oakland Athletics, watches one of his hits during the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, on Monday, July 15, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Cespedes’ countryman, Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers, is on the NL squad along with ferocious power hitter Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins (he’s probably the favorite to win the event) and Todd Frazier of the Reds; Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies is the captain. The NL also has one more participant to be named.

Cespedes said after batting practice today that he will not stop early as he did last year when advised to do so by David Ortiz. He won with 32 homers, but he said at the time he could have hit more.

This year will be different.

“What happened to me last year is not going to happen again,” he said, with radio broadcaster Manolo Hernandez-Douen interpreting. “David Ortiz told me, ‘That’s enough.’ This time, I’m going to try to get as many as I can.”

So, how many might that be? “I don’t know,” he said. “I’ll hit every one I can.”

Cespedes said last year’s event taught him to be more patient; he will make sure he has a good pitch before trying to connect, especially in the seven-out first round.

Asked if he would take precautions to keep from getting tired after the event, when he rejoins the team, Cespedes said he will work out the way he always does.

Cespedes missed four games with a wrist injury after the Home Run Derby last year, and the A’s made it clear they weren’t enthusiastic about him participating again. But as general manager Billy Beane told me in an email two weeks ago, it’s Cespedes’ decision.

Manager Bob Melvin repeated today that while the event is entertaining, there always is some worry for the teams whose players take part. He doesn’t know if Cespedes’ wrist injury was related to last year’s Derby, it didn’t crop up until batting practice after Cespedes was back. Cespedes’ swing has so much torque, and, Melvin said, “He doesn’t know how to swing easy.”

“It was so exciting,” Melvin said of the event. “But you can’t help but be a little nervous.”

Mike Gallego, the A’s third base coach, will be Cespedes’ batting practice pitcher again. “It’s a huge stage to perform on, and we all know they’re only as good as their batting-practice throwers,” Gallego said of the pressure involved. “It’s exciting, no doubt. It’s an honor to be chosen. But Yoenis lets you know when you’re out of the area he’s looking in; he gets locked in. I’m a quick learner.”

News of the day: Josh Reddick (knee) could go on a rehab assignment as soon as Friday with Class-A Stockton. Drew Pomeranz (broken right hand) had a good session of catch yesterday, and he, too, could be on a rehab assignment soon. What happens when Pomeranz is ready to come off the DL? He’s likely to be optioned to Triple-A Sacramento – or he could be dealt away for a second baseman. He told me he’s aware of that; he’s been traded twice before and Pomeranz knows that the A’s now have lots of pitching to trade should they try to add another piece before the deadline. A young left-handed starter who had good success this season? He would be a pretty obvious potential target for any trade partner.